Friday, March 21, 2003
IC~' ~'I()v.e ICaIV~Ulllle~ NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are capsule reviews of movies recently reviewed by the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. ''The Hunted" (Paramount) Brutal drama in which a retired teacher of warfare (Tommy Lee Jones) must prevent his former student (Benicio Del Toro), a top Special Forces assassin gone mad, from killing innocent people. Director William Friedkin deftly builds white-knuckle tension in this straightforward tale while coaxing a fine performance out of Jones, but the film's excessive carnage and viciousness cannot be justified. Much savage violence and sporadic rough language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is 0 - morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted. "Spider" (Sony Pictures Classics). Bleak psychological drama about a mentally ill man (Ralph Fiennes) living in a decrepit Lon-
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don halfway house who struggles to discover the dreadful truth about the death of his mother (Miranda Richardson) as his frail mental state declines. Director David Cronenberg spins together muddled childhood memories in a disturbed adult mind in this stark film with a chilling ending, but the deliberate, .grinding pace grows wearisome. A few sexual situations, brief violence, fleeting nudity and a few instances of rough language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R - restricted. ''Willard'' (New Line Cinema) Grisly horror-comedy about a misfit (Crispin Glover), oppressed' by a harridan mother and overbearing boss, who befriends an evergrowing army of rats in his basement. Glen Morgan's remake of the 1971 B-movie camps it up with over-the-top performances from Glover and his oppressors; the resuit, though decidedly not for all tastes, effectively works on the audiences' nerves where so many horror films deliver only grossouts. Some grisly violence and menace, a depiction of a character viewing online pornography, an alIusion to autoeroticism, occasional profanity and an instance of rough language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-IV - adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
eNS video reviews NEW YORK (CNS) - The following are video capsule reviews from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies on video have an Office for Film & Broadcasting classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating. "Metropolis" (1926) Silent classic of a future society ruled by an aristocracy living in luxury a~ove ground while the workers suffer miserably underground, comforted only by the religious faith pf a young woman (Brigine Helm) in whose likeness a sinister scientist (Rudolf KleinRogge) fashions a robot inciting the workers to rebel but all ends in reconciliation. Directed by Fritz Lang, the story's melodramatic turns and woolly finale may be dated but not its vivid pictorial sense, grandly expressionistic decor and theme of social justice. Bleak picture of exploited workers, stylized violence and some sexual路 innuendo. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Kino) "Road to Perdition" (2002) Gripping drama set in Depression-~ra Chicago in which a hit man (Tom Hanks) working for the leader of the Irish mob (Paul
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Newman) embarks on a journey to protect his l2-year-old son and avenge the death of the rest of his family. Examining complicated father-son relationships, director Sam Mendes' evocative moral tale presents a calculated visual tapestry of intrigue and multilayered characters which smoothly weaves in themes of betrayal, redemption, filial love and fa'!1ily responsibility. Some brutal scenes of violence with sporadic rough language and profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R restricted. (DreamWorks) "Tuck Everlasting" (2002) Charming fantasy about a young girl (Alexis Blede\) whose first love (Jonathan Jackson) and his welcoming family offer her a chance to remain forever young with them. Directpr Jay Russell crafts an uplifting tale, based on Natalie Babbitt's novel, with enough twists, turns ana excitement to keep young and older audiences in suspense. Some violence, mild sexual innuendo, and a fantasy interpretation of immortality. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification isAII - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG - parental guidance suggested. (Disney)
Will 'Chicago' be a big wind blowing on Oscar night? NEW YORK (CNS) - As the Academy Awards draw near, momentum seems to be building for a potential Oscar sweep by the glossy musical "Chicago." Here's how the nominations are looking, with guesses for the ultimate winners in the leading categories. - The first Academy Award announced on live TV is usually for Best Supportirig Actress. Queen Latifah is pure sass as the crafty prison matron in "Chicago," but doesn't have quite enough screen time to make a dominant impression. Meryl Streep's zoned-out journalist in ''Adaptation" is highly wat~hable, but her two previous wins and 10 other nominations may seem like reward enough to some voters. Julianne Moore gives a superb performance as a depressed 1950's housewife in 'The Hours" but her nomination as Best Actress in "Far From Heaven" may split her votes, possibly leaving her empty-handed in both categories. Kathy Bates is hilarious (and, briefly, shockingly nude) as an overripe flower child looking to pounce on wary Jack Nicholson in "About Schmidt" and she just may collect her second Oscar for the role. But Catherine Zeta-Jones is electrifying in "Chicago," singing, dancing and acting up a storm as a wily murderess still hooked on fame. Her heretofore unknown talents as a hoofer and thrush could clinch a win - if Queen Latifah:s performance in the same film doesn't split the votes. - There are no obvious frontrunners in the Best Supporting Actor category. The sentimental favorite would be Paul Newman as the conflicted Irish mob boss, but despite a flawless performance there seems to be little momentum for last summer's "Road to Perdition" - and voters' memories are notoriously short. Christopher Walken as impostor Leonardo Di Caprio's dad in "Catch Me If You Can" deftly conveys a range of emotions but his rivals made more vivid impressions in their roles. Ed Harris as the embittered poet dying ofAIDS in 'The Hours" is blistering, and with three prior nominations, he seems due for a win. But John C. Reill)'s cuckolded husband in "Chicago" is more of a revelation, especially with his unexpectedly poignant rendition of "Mr. Cellophane," which may stick in the minds of voters. Still, first-time Oscar nominee Chris Cooper, whose out-there portrayal of a greasy, dentally challenged orchid aficionado in ''Adaptation'' won numerous critics' awards, seems best positioned to cop the little gold guy. - For Best Actress, two of the five seem to be white-hol. Not in that category is Diane Lane, whose cheating wife in last spring's "Unfaithful" was deserving of a nomination, but she is clearly the dark . horse. Salma Hayek, nominated in the title role of"Frida," is impassioned as the vibrant Mexican artist, but the three other nominees seem to be stealing her路thunder. This should be Julianne Moore's year and she has countless critics' awards already, but her double nomination - rather than underlining her exceptional talent - is sure to cost her, as the voters are likely to choose her in just one performance. Brilliant as the traumatized housewife in "Far From Heaven," she will be hardpressed not to be the victim of a split vote. As the buzz about "Chicago" intensifies, so do Renee Zellweger's chances as sweet-faced, hardhearted Roxie Hart. Yet she's likely to end up as an . also-ran, given the momentum Nicole Kidman has seemed to achieve with her soul-baring portrayal of the suicidal Virginia Woolf in ''The Hours:" Showing her range singing and dancing in "Moulin Rouge," which gamered her a Best Actress nomination two years ago, Kidman has also been promoting ''The Hours" on the talk-show circuit and coming off as a serious actress whose grace and charm can't hurt her when it comes to the voters, who just a few years ago
thought of her only as Tom Cruise's wife. - In the BestActor race, first-time nominee Adrien Brody has many fervent supporters for his demanding role as a Jew hiding in Warsaw during the Holocaust in "The Pianist," but he's up against major stars, all of whom have won previous Academy Awards. Nicolas Cage skillfully handles his dual role as identical路 but temperamentally opposite twin brothers in "Adaptation," but the goofy direction the film's last half-hour takes may tum off many voters. Giving a 'poignant and nuanced performance, his best in years, is Michael Caine a cynical British journalist in "The Quiet American," but sometimes understated gets overlooked. Possibly besting all the others is Jack Nicholson in the title role of "About Schmidt," where路he plays a newly widowed retiree facing life's many disappointments. His slyly comic performance is superb and deserves to win, but Academy voters are notorious for favoring showy roles. And none is more largerthan-life than Daniel Day-Lewis in the violent "Gangs of New York," a portrayal that has won almost universal acclaim and is likely to\bring him his second Oscar. - An especially tough call is for Best Director. Only Pedro Almodovar seems unlikely to grab the gold for his Spanish-language ''Talk to Her," since no one has ever won in this category for a foreign-language film. Many were moved .by Roman Polanski's direction of 'The Pianist" but some may still'be influenced by his rape conviction and fugitive status since 1978. Momentum is building for Martin Scorsese, who has been nominated but never won as either writer or director. Many think his time has come with the massive brawler, "Gangs of New York." It's difficult to fault the assured direction by Stephen Daldry and the excellent leading portrayals he got from his three stars in ''The Hours," a film jumping between entirely. different eras and characters. DaldlY skillfully accomplished this and may beat out veteran Scorsese come Oscar night. Yet it is a newcomer to the Oscar scene and film directing, Rob Marshall, who with his wildly popular "Chicago" may well overcome his new-kid-on-theblock status to win as the Best Director. - Ultimately, what's most likely to be named Best Picture? The sole sure bet is that "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" won't be scaling the heights to grab the brass ring. It's much more likely that its Best Picture Oscar will come next year in recognition of the entire spectacular trilogy after the final installment is released. In fact, although 'The Two Towers" was nominated for Best Picture, its director, Peter Jackson, wasn't. Although Holocaust-themed films such as "A Beautiful Life" and "Schindler's List" have won before, 'The Pianist" was not as emotionally involving, which is likely to hurt its chances. Academy voters seldom give the top prize to extremely violent fare, and if ever there was an ultraviolent movie it's "Gangs of New York." Providing the strongest competition is' "The 'Hours," with its splendid blend of acting and direction, but its depressing tale of suicidal, mentally and physically ill characters may prove too grim to win the most votes. More in keeping with Hollywood's love of feelgood razzle-dazzle is "Chicago," which so many people enjoyed. It seems to have gained the muscle to be the first musical to win Best Picture since "Oliver!" in 1968. Then again, this scorebook may have more losers than winners, as there are always a few real surprises on Oscar night. To catch the strained smiles of the losers and the quips host Steve Martin will make about the winners, the fun starts at 8 p.m. on ABC Sunday. With all those endless acceptance speeches, however, don't expect the show to end before Monday!
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